Apprenticeship programmes are the right investment for small businesses
Published Monday, February 15, 2010 - 20:30
Apprenticeships should no longer be seen as the preserve of big business, writes small business owner Simon Swords of Atlas Computer Systems
As the country starts to see signs of economic recovery, it is particularly important for small businesses everywhere to take stock and plot their route towards a brighter future. It would seem that in recent times Apprenticeship programmes are a somewhat overlooked means by which to do so, with myths surrounding cost and initial setup distracting potential recruiters. I would argue that setting up an Apprenticeship programme is highly applicable to all companies regardless of size or type, and is something which the smaller among us should seek to establish. Having been a small business owner and recruiter of apprentices myself for some time now, I know fully the business sense which Apprenticeship programmes make.
Having started my own software development company (Atlas Computer Systems) from a small garden shed at the back of my parent’s house in 2006, apprentices have been key to my business’ rapid growth. With a turnover of around £500,000 a year, Atlas presently employs seven people, three of whom are apprentices. This has been highly cost-effective, as they have made a real difference to the business almost from their time of joining. In a highly technical market, we have managed to bring major savings to our recruitment costs whilst also ensuring that we have a solid skills base for the future. In fact our first hire is now in a senior programming position, acting as a mentor to the new intake.
Apprenticeships are proving to be ideal for the needs of a small company. In an environment which needs people to contribute to the work place as quickly as possible, apprentices are able to hit the ground running with their mix of academic and practical skills. In my experience, apprentices are also very enthusiastic, and eager to please, with a very “can do” attitude to working life. If business owners and apprentices alike embrace Apprenticeships with equal quantities of enthusiasm, it will ensure the investment pays off in both the short and long term.
One key advantage of Apprenticeships for small companies is that a sense of loyalty can be fostered, with staff retention rates at Atlas standing as testament to this fact. By offering a reasonable salary and high quality training, which is largely supported by Government schemes such as the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE), which gives £2,500 to small business employing 16-17 year olds, business owners can reduce their staffing costs whilst tailoring the skills of their employees to fit company needs.
Apprenticeships should no longer be seen as the preserve of big business, writes small business owner Simon Swords of Atlas Computer Systems
As the country starts to see signs of economic recovery, it is particularly important for small businesses everywhere to take stock and plot their route towards a brighter future. It would seem that in recent times Apprenticeship programmes are a somewhat overlooked means by which to do so, with myths surrounding cost and initial setup distracting potential recruiters. I would argue that setting up an Apprenticeship programme is highly applicable to all companies regardless of size or type, and is something which the smaller among us should seek to establish. Having been a small business owner and recruiter of apprentices myself for some time now, I know fully the business sense which Apprenticeship programmes make.
Having started my own software development company (Atlas Computer Systems) from a small garden shed at the back of my parent’s house in 2006, apprentices have been key to my business’ rapid growth. With a turnover of around £500,000 a year, Atlas presently employs seven people, three of whom are apprentices. This has been highly cost-effective, as they have made a real difference to the business almost from their time of joining. In a highly technical market, we have managed to bring major savings to our recruitment costs whilst also ensuring that we have a solid skills base for the future. In fact our first hire is now in a senior programming position, acting as a mentor to the new intake.
Some people may look fondly upon Apprenticeships as the bastion of a less technical and largely industrial age. However, the kinds of Apprenticeships offered these days have changed quite considerably, with over 190 different programmes to choose from. As well as programmes in the traditional trades such as carpentry, plumbing and building, there are offerings in more office-based professions such as accountancy, customer service, business administration, management and marketing. There are also IT-based programmes which all of our apprentices at Atlas have undertaken, including myself, when I undertook an Apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships are proving to be ideal for the needs of a small company. In an environment which needs people to contribute to the work place as quickly as possible, apprentices are able to hit the ground running with their mix of academic and practical skills. In my experience, apprentices are also very enthusiastic, and eager to please, with a very “can do” attitude to working life. If business owners and apprentices alike embrace Apprenticeships with equal quantities of enthusiasm, it will ensure the investment pays off in both the short and long term.
One key advantage of Apprenticeships for small companies is that a sense of loyalty can be fostered, with staff retention rates at Atlas standing as testament to this fact. By offering a reasonable salary and high quality training, which is largely supported by Government schemes such as the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE), which gives £2,500 to small business employing 16-17 year olds, business owners can reduce their staffing costs whilst tailoring the skills of their employees to fit company needs.
As a member of the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network (AAN), I would urge all small business leaders to find out the facts about Apprenticeship programmes in order to see the relative benefits apprentices can bring to their business. With this week being Apprenticeship Week, now has never been a better time to dispel the myths and mystery surrounding a true business investment.
